"Alright, alright!" he huffed. He yelled again, so the person waiting at the door would hear "Just a minute please!"
"Ahh! What are you doing?" She asked, as she squealed in pain.
"I'm trying to take my belt off, now hold still!"
"How can I hold still with you moving all around? My head doesn't just pop on and off, you know!"
"Okay––there, I got it!" Jake said, freeing his wife, who was making a face and rubbing her head.
For such a sad moment in time, the person outside their door couldn't help but giggle from the commotion going on inside the house. The visitor obviously couldn't see their actions but what he heard had him reeling with laughter.
"Don't just stand there looking at me, help me up. I don't want whoever that is to see me lying on the couch like a bum!"
"Alright!" He said, as he grabbed one of her arms and began to pull.
"Jake Patterson!" she said sternly, after being yanked up to the sitting position. "Does the phrase 'gently-I'm pregnant' mean anything to you?"
"Sorry Maddie, I was just––"
"Would you just get the door Jake?" She instructed, as she shook her head, cracked a smile and tried to sit up straight, while fixing her hair to the best of her abilities.
Jake went towards the door; quickly patted his hair, took a deep breath, smiled and opened it. "Everything alright in there, Jake?" Tommy Holliday asked.
"Oh, hi Tommy. Everything's swell, come on in." he replied, as they shook hands.
"Thanks." Tommy said, taking off his hat, and nodding politely at Madison "Hello ma'am."
"Hi Mr. Holliday, would you like something to drink? Coffee, water, iced tea?"
"Coffee would be just fine ma'am, thank you." he said, as he sat on one of the living room chairs.
"Sorry I haven't been by the shop lately " Jake said. "It's been real hectic around here, coming home from Europe, taking care of Big Paul, now getting things ready for the funeral and the arrival of our baby."
"That's alright Jake, everything's just fine at the shop." Tommy said.
"Here you go, Tommy." Madison said handing him a hot cup of coffee on a saucer. "Careful, I just made it, it's really hot."
"Thank you, ma'am." he said as he took a sip and raised his eye brows. "Wow this is good––strong, but good."
"So, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" Madison asked, as she sat back down on the couch.
"Well ma'am, I actually came by to deliver this envelope to Jake." he said, handing him a large sealed envelope.
"To Jake, from Big Paul." Jake read aloud. "I don't get it, what's in it?" he asked.
"No clue." Tommy said, as he shrugged his shoulders. "While you were in Europe, Big Paul told me to give this to you, in the event something happened to him."
"Well go on honey, open it." Madison said.
Jake carefully opened the envelope, pulling out one sheet of paper titled 'Paul Sutton's last will and testament.' As his eyes skimmed over the notarized, handwritten will, he slowly began to tear up.
"What does it say, honey?" Madison asked.
Jake took a long breath and sighed. "He left everything to us, all of it! His house, his money, his furniture store—everything."
"So, boss…" Tommy said, with a smile on his face. "Do I still have a job?"
"While I was at war and in the hospital, Big Paul and I wrote to each other a few times, and he would always tell me what a good worker you were, and how your craftsmanship was excellent." Jake said. "Big Paul liked you a lot, Tommy. He trusted you—so let me ask, how would you feel about managing the store? I mean, you're practically doing it already—you're just not getting the pay."
"I'd love that, but what about Edwin? He's been there a lot longer than me."
"Don't worry about Edwin, he'll be okay. So what do you say?
"Well, umm… yes of course! Thank you Jake!"
"Jake, would you come here a second." Madison asked, then whispered something in his ear.
Jake smiled. "So are you and your wife still living in that cramped apartment above Smitty's store?"
For now." he nodded. "Once we get her medical bills all paid, we're gonna look for something bigger. It's real difficult living in a 400 square foot apartment, with a bathroom just big enough to turn around in."
"What would you say if I offered to have you and your wife to live in Big Paul's house?"
"Wow, that would be so wonderful! My wife loves that house. How much would the rent be?" he asked.
"Tell you what, Tommy. You pay the utility bills and the property taxes at the end of the year, and don't worry about the rent."
Tommy was stunned and silent for a moment. "I––I don't know what to say. Are you sure, Jake?"
"We're brothers, not blood brothers, but military brothers. We look after one another. You can move in as soon as we get the place sorted out, and hey, maybe this will help get those medical bills paid a little sooner. Don't feel bad, I'm sure this is what Big Paul would've wanted… all he ever did was try to help people in need."
"Thanks Jake!" Tommy exclaimed "Sarah and I greatly appreciate this! I'm sure you two can expect some of Mrs.'s Holliday's goodies, she loves to bake, and she's the best!"
"That sounds great, Tommy" Jake said "I can't wait to have a taste––"
"Jake!" Madison interrupted. "I need your help to get up, honey. I need to go to the little girls room, again. Sorry Tommy."
"Quite alright ma'am. I've got two grown kids of my own, I definitely remember those days. Well, I guess I'll be going, thanks again Jake!" Tommy said.
Jake assured him it was the least he could do, then shook his hand and thanked him for stopping by. He went to Madison, and helped her up, watching her as she waddled to the bathroom. He smiled as he heard her say under her breath, how this baby needed to hurry and come out soon.
<><><>
The next few days went by way too fast, and at about ten on a cold and snowy Tuesday morning, it appeared the entire town of Blackwater was beginning to congregate behind the old barn, for Big Paul's funeral.
Paul Sutton spent his last days talking more about life than he did about death. However, one particular conversation with Jake and Madison, he discussed his burial wishes. He asked to be buried in Blackwater. Jake and Madison told him when the time came, they would make arrangements for him to be buried alongside his wife, Jenny. Big Paul told them the surrounding plots were already occupied, but he smiled big, and let them know that Jenny was already with him, that she would always be with him. He told them the body is nothing more than a shell, and that he and Jenny were inseparable; they've been together since the day they met, and will remain together for all eternity. Big Paul liked the idea of being buried behind the old barn, and said that he'd be honored to have his final resting place next to Todd Beven, a man who gave his life to save others.
The six foot deep hole where Big Paul would be put to rest, was dug the day before, a few feet away from Blackwater's hero Todd Beven, the immigrant from Wales who risked his life to save the Tanner family who took him in, employed him, and let him live in the old barn in the late eight-teen hundreds.
As it neared 11:00 a.m., everyone gathered around and watched the pallbearers: Jake, Edwin, Tommy, Smitty, Mr. Brierly and Mr. Dobbins, slowly carry the casket from the hurst, to a platform set above the grave.
The minister stood to the right of the casket, and began to read a few passages from the Bible. He also shared a conversation he had with Big Paul only two weeks ago, asking Big Paul a simple question about his life. The minister lightly chuckled when he told them Big Paul's reply. He said Big Paul looked him straight in the eye, and told him he lived a good life, he loved a wonderful woman, and made some great friends along the way.
The minister pulled out an old folded up sheet of paper from the inside pocket of his black trench coat. He put his reading glasses on, and told those gathered, that Big Paul wanted to offer one last piece of advice before his body was lowered and buried beneath the earth. T
he minister told them the letter he was about to read, was very dear to Big Paul, it was a letter his Grandmother gave him when he was only a baby, she wrote it just a few short days before she died. He said this letter really helped him through life, and was probably why he lived such a full life with little to no regrets. Big Paul told him the only regret he could remember, was not having a chance to make amends with his father, before his father passed away. The minister cleared his throat, and began to read the letter aloud.
<><>
To my only Grandson - Paul Sutton,
Paul, my beautiful Paul, I'm looking at you sleeping so peacefully in your crib. It's almost 2:00 a.m., and I'm sitting on the old rocking chair that your Grandpa built for me, when your father was just a baby. Unfortunately, you will never have a chance to know me, for I am very ill, and I can feel my body slipping away from me. Oh, how I wish I had more time with you, to watch you grow and to hear your voice. Nevertheless, I'm writing this letter to leave you a small piece of advice. Please Paul, never forget this advice, and I hope you will pass it on to those you love as well.
My advice to you is this, Live your life to the fullest, and try to live with little to no regrets as possible. Because when you get old, your mind will begin to wonder one simple question, 'What If?' What if I did this or that? What if I had the courage to tell that special someone my true feelings? What if I stood my ground? What if I took time out of my busy day to sit and listen to someone? What if? What if? What if?
Many people don't take chances or chase their dreams, because they're afraid they'll fail or be rejected. Some are afraid what they're trying to do may not work out the way they planned, so the easy thing to do, is to do nothing at all. But Paul, listen to me, take the chance, because if you never take the chance, then you'll never know the outcome, and not knowing the outcome, can sometimes haunt you.
If you take the chance, and the outcome isn't what you hoped for, or wanted—well, at least you'll know how it turned out, so later on, when you're my age, you won't be asking yourself the questions I ask myself all the time, and that question is, 'What if.' What would have happened if I did this or that? Or said this or that? If you never do, and you never ask; then you'll never know, and you'll always wonder.
There are no do-overs in life, Paul. Sure there are second chances, and no matter what happens, God will always work things out for the good. But I'm talking about living your life to the fullest. Don't let missed opportunities pass you by. Opportunity is like a dog with a stubby tail, trying to run past you. If you don't catch him while he's right there in front of you, by the time you finally decide to turn around, and get him by the tail, he'll be long gone, and will never come back.
If you ever do have a regret, or feel sad because you didn't do or say something, please Paul, don't spend your whole life beating yourself up over it, just pick yourself back up and continue to go forward, learning from your mistakes and passing it on to those you love.
I truly hope this letter will help you throughout life; I wish I could have told you this in person, when you were old enough to understand, but just watching you sleep in your crib makes me smile, and brings me peace.
I love you Paul, my grandson,
Grandma Eleanor
<><>
As the minister finished reading, Jake put his hand to his cheek, and wiped a tear just before it reached his chin. As he did so, his mind went back to the day his mother found him at the Brierly's home, when he was just a boy. He remembered running to the old barn, and then shortly after, Big Paul came and talked to him about going to make up with his mother. Jake reminded himself of a certain letter Big Paul mentioned; a letter his grandmother wrote to him when he was just a baby. He said one day he would read it to him. It seems that he'd never have that chance, however, there was no question, this was the very letter he was talking about all that time.
As the snow began to fall, the rest of the service went by rather quickly. Then, when it was over, everyone slowly left the barn and made their way home, to have a bite to eat and talk about their own memories of Mr. Paul Sutton.
Jake, Madison, and her parents, along with Edwin and Ashley stayed to watch the workers lower the casket into the ground, and start to cover it up with dirt. Mr. and Mrs. Brierly stayed for a little while, but the chill of the winter air was too much for them. They gave everyone a hug and headed to their home. Shortly after, Ashley convinced Edwin that it was time to go, or she would freeze to death. Then a few minutes after they left, Jake saw Madison shivering, but stayed by him watching as they continued to fill the grave with dirt.
"Why don't you go on home, honey?" Jake said to his shivering wife.
"Are you sure sweetie?" she asked, as her teeth chattered together. "I think I'm okay, I'll stay here with you.
"Go on to the house, babe." he said, rubbing her back, trying to generate some heat. "You look tired anyway, and I'm not sure this weather is good for the baby either."
"I guess you're right, honey." she answered. "How about I go and make us some hot tea?"
"That'd be great, Maddie. I'll just stay here a few more minutes."
As Jake watched his beautiful, pregnant wife waddle her way back to the house, he smiled. then directed his attention back to the grave site, and watched the workers put their shovels in the back of their truck, and leave the property.
Apart from the snow coming down, and the wind stinging his face, Jake felt a peace and calm as he stood, looking at the mound of dirt which covered his good friend, mentor and father figure.
Jake pulled the letter from his pocket that the minister gave him, upon Big Paul's request, and he fell to his knees and began to weep. He could only remember crying that hard when he was just a boy learning of his father's passing. He could never understand how one morning he talked to his father, and that afternoon he was gone forever.
After a few minutes of deep, painful sorrow, Jake took out a handkerchief and blew his nose. He used the sleeve of his trench coat to wipe his face and eyes, then took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, with a sorrowful and uncontrollable frown on his face.
He slowly got up from the snowy ground, walked over to the front of the old barn and opened the door. As he walked inside, he noticed a few scattered items that Madison left behind when she moved back into the house.
He took a few minutes to look through some of the things. He noticed a rocking chair that he and Big Paul made together, when he was just a boy. It was the very rocker that Big Paul taught him his first lesson in furniture making.
It was extremely sturdy and rocked very well, but, as he inspected it a little closer, his well trained eye quickly spotted a few flaws from his early days in furniture building. After sitting and rocking for a few minutes, remembering moments he and Big Paul shared, he decided to go and have that hot cup of tea with his wife.
He walked inside and could hear the whistle of the tea pot, and noticed two cups with matching saucers placed on the table. His wife took the pot off the stove, as the whistle quickly faded. She waddled to the table and began to pour hot water into the cups.
"Well…what do you have there, Jake Patterson?" she asked watching him set the rocking chair down.
"It's the first rocker Big Paul and I made together, when I was just a boy!" he smiled, and pushed it, causing it to rock back and fourth.
"And what's it doing in here?" She smiled, already knowing his thoughts.
"I thought we could put it in the baby's room, and use it to try and comfort our little one."
"I think that's a great idea, babe. You can put it in the nursery right after we have our tea."
<><><>
Christmas, New Years, and the holidays, were bittersweet without Big Paul around. Jake and Madison received many gifts for the baby, clothes, toys, and all the necessities. Some gifts secretly expressed the buyers hope for the baby's gender, by getting things in either pink or blue.
Big Paul's furniture store was keeping Jake, Edwin, Chad and Tommy extremely b
usy. there was even talk about the possibilities of expanding the store to other surrounding towns.
For the next few of weeks, Madison's midwife, Gretchen, would come by the house regularly, to check on her progress, making sure everything was okay. She gave them step by step instructions, and needed them to know exactly what to do and be prepared for when Madison's water broke. Jake was always preoccupied, or too busy to listen to Gretchen's instructions, so she made absolute sure that Madison knew exactly what to do.
It was a lazy Saturday, January 15, 1945. Jake and Madison were in the living room with the radio on. Madison was reading a book, while Jake was sketching out a design for a new chair he wanted to build.
"Uhh-Jake!" Madison said, in a shaky voice as she put her book down. "I think my water just broke!"
"What did you break, honey?" Jake asked, still concentrating on the design.
"Honey!" she said, trying to stay calm. "Honey, look at me!"
"Yes babe, what is––Oh my gosh! Your water just broke!" He yelled, throwing the sketch on the floor. He stood up and began pacing and talking to himself.
"Jake—Jake—JAKE!" she finally yelled. "It's gonna be okay, just call Gretchen, and tell her my water broke, then call my parents. Oh, boil some water, and get some towels and blankets."
"Okay…" he said. "Wait, how do you know all this?" He asked, dialing the operator.
"From Gretchen!" she said. "But you wouldn't know anything about that though, because you were always––"
"Helen, Helen!" Jake said to the operator. This is Jake Patterson, Madison's having the baby! Can you ring me to Gretchen Roman? It's an emergency." There was a short pause on the phone, then he heard Gretchen's voice on the other line.
"Gretchen—Gretchen, Madison's having the baby now! what do we––Hello—Hello?"
"What'd she say?" Madison asked.
"She didn't say anything, she hung up on me." He said, holding the lifeless receiver in his hand.
"She's on her way then." Madison said as she began to breathe rapidly. "Call my parents, and do the other stuff I told you to do."
And Along Came Jake Page 21